Sounding out the trout

Friday

Apr 26, 2013 at 12:36 AM

The Pocono region offers some of the best trout angling to be found anywhere in the commonwealth, with a multitude of freestone mountain streams — many miles of which are open to public fishing — and an ample stocking program by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, which provides anglers with several species of trout including rainbow, brook and browns.

RON TUSSEL

The Pocono region offers some of the best trout angling to be found anywhere in the commonwealth, with a multitude of freestone mountain streams — many miles of which are open to public fishing — and an ample stocking program by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, which provides anglers with several species of trout including rainbow, brook and browns.

McMichael Creek flows in a southerly, then northeasterly direction before converging with Brodhead Creek in Stroudsburg.

McMichael Creek flows about 19 miles with a vertical drop of 1,700 feet and is Brodhead Creek's largest tributary. The main channel separates at two locations: one mile below the town of McMichaels and again one mile above Brodheadsville, forming two distinct "splits" that rejoin downstream.

A significant portion of the McMichael Creek watershed is designated Exceptional Value — as identified by The Pennsylvania Code — due to the highly oxygenated, cold, clean waters.

The McMichael is well stocked with brown and rainbow trout. Stone flies and eggs have been the flies of choice.

Don't forget to carry and present several different baits to increase catch numbers.

Brodhead Creek is a well-known and productive trout fishery. Brodhead Creek is stocked from the Stroudsburg Water Co. property downstream to the Interstate 80 bridge at Exit 309 Marshalls Creek. Upper Brodhead Creek is paralleled by Route 447.

Its famous waters consist of prolific hatches and mostly stocked trout, but there are some wild trout here, too. Some areas of the Brodhead are private, but you'll still find plenty of public water available.

Below the Route 1002 Bridge down to Analomink, the Brodhead is swift with beautiful riffles and runs accompanied by large pools. This stretch is stocked and has nice holdover trout year round. There is parking by the Route 1002 Bridge, which provides some access to this stretch.

Below East Stroudsburg, the Brodhead runs through a deep gorge to the Delaware River. Fast rapids separated by large pools make this a good stretch to fish. The churning water adds dissolved oxygen to the water, creating a safe haven for trout in the warmer weather. Access can be found via several parking areas underneath Interstate 80.

Good-sized fish in the 13- to 17-inch class are fairly common here, and anglers can expect brown trout and rainbow trout.

Small spinners, such as the yellow rooster tail, work well here, as do red worms and meal worms.

Don't forget felt soles or similar on those waders to prevent falls into ice-cold water.

Tobyhanna Creek flows from Tobyhanna Lake. It is fairly large, averaging 40 to 60 feet wide. Much of the stream runs through State Game Land 127, giving it a wild, secluded aura. There are several parking areas in this section, and a foot trail leads down to the stream.

There is a delayed-harvest section, artificial lures only, one mile long that extends from the confluence of Still Swamp Run, downstream to the Pennsylvania Power service bridge. This area receives a fall stocking of trout. It requires a hike to get to this area of water.

Anglers will find stocked trout here along with some wild brown trout and brook trout.

Don't forget hip boots or waders to access some of the better pools.

Hickory Run is another great freestone stream of the Pocono Plateau. It begins its journey above Route 534 and flows for about five miles through Hickory Run State Park, eventually joining the Lehigh River.

Starting at Route 534, there is a catch-and-release area that extends 1.6 miles from Sand Spring Run downstream to the mouth. This area helps keep the wild population of trout abundant, and both brown and brook trout can be caught in good numbers here.

Most of Hickory Run is characterized by long stretches of riffles. There are a few small pools, found mostly in the lower reaches. You can gain access to Hickory Run via Route 534, which crosses the river at the top of the catch-and-release area.

Brook trout and rainbows can be had in Hickory Run, and anglers do well using natural baits such as red worms, meal worms and salted shiners.

Don't forget: no harvesting of trout in the catch-and-release section.

A sister stream to Hickory Run is Mud Run, another tributary of the Lehigh River. This mountain stream flows for about seven miles, with a 2.5-mile stretch flowing through Hickory Run State Forest.

Mud Run is littered with boulders from another age. This scattered stone structure causes Mud Run to flow around and over large boulders and waterfalls, creating pools, pockets, riffles and runs with oxygen-rich water.

A delayed-harvest, artificial-lures-only section is within the 2.5-mile stretch that flows through Hickory Run State Park. This is probably the most productive and accessible section of Mud Run for fishing. Access to Mud Run is available from Route 534 in Hickory Run State Park.

The stream is stocked with brook and rainbow trout. Fish respond well to streamers and other natural bait imitators, especially early in the season.

Don't forget: Possession of baits is not legal in the special regs area.

The lower 12 miles of Big Bushkill in Pike County are open for fishing, and there is a delayed-harvest, fly-fishing-only stretch, which is 6.1 miles long, on the Resica Falls Scout Reservation property, except for 200 yards on each side of the falls. Plenty of trout are stocked here, and there are some decent holdovers as well.

Parking spots can be found along Firestone Road. Some regulations apply here, and registration is required at the Resica Falls Boy Scout Headquarters. There is another parking area just below the bridge, where there's a walking path that parallels the creek downstream.

Anglers can expect brook, brown and rainbow trout. Small spoons and spinners are a great choice, as are natural baits and manufactured scent baits.

Don't forget to register with Scout headquarters and watch for areas closed to fishing.

The Lackawaxen River in Pike County is famous for its trout fishing opportunities. It starts at Prompton Lake in Wayne County and flows almost 30 miles to the Delaware River. There is an abundance of excellent trout habitat that includes stone and boulder structure, undercut banks, deep pools and oxygen-rich rifts.

Spoons and live bait will take lots of trout. Those tossing flies will do well with streamers and Woolly Buggers as well as nymph imitators.

The river is loaded with rainbows, browns and brook trout, both stocked and holdovers.

Remember to watch posted signs. Portions of the river are lined by private property, and periodic releases of water from Lake Wallenpaupack cause swift water level changes.

Ron Tussel is an outdoor sports columnist for the Pocono Record. When he's not writing about hunting or fishing in the Poconos, he's usually hunting or fishing in the Poconos.